028. Church, Missionary Work in the

028. Church, Missionary Work in the

28 MISSIONARY WORK IN THE CHURCH 1 Thessalonians 1:1-8

INTRODUCTION Christ was a "missionary"; his disciples must be. Early Cltristian true to Christ is a "missionary." All who have learned Christ are under obligation to teach him to others .

I. GOD’S PLAN 1. Jerusalem, all Judea, Samaria, and uttermost parts of the earth. (Acts 1:8.) 2. Gospel had been carried to the whole world before the death of Paul. (Romans 10:18;

Colossians 1:6; Colossians 1:23.) 3. How the gospel like a blaze of glory reached all parts of the earth THEN but does not NOW.

4. Inspiration not the cause, for it continued through the century AFTER inspiration ceased.

5. Within three centuries conquered Roman Empire .

II. HOW IT WAS WORKED 1. Through WHAT organization did they work ?

2. The kind used THEN was God-appointed.

3. Example of Jerusalem Church .

(a) Sent Barnabas to Antioch. (Acts 11:22.) (b) Church "sent" Barnabas.

4. Church at Antioch :

(a) Now sent Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 13:1.) (b) First journey: Seleucia, Cyprus , Salamis, Paphos, Perga, Antioch, Iconium , Lystra, and Derby . (c) Second tour: Paul and Silas visit churches established on first tour and go to Philippi , established a church there.

5. Church at Philippi.

(a) This church sustains Paul at Thessalonica. (Php 4:15-16.) 6. Church at Thessalonica.

(a) This church sent gospel to Macedonia, Achaia, and all around. (1 Thessalonians 1:8.) (b) What a chain! Suppose all others did as Paul and Silas; how fast churches would increase!

III. THE REPORTS 1. Made direct to the church. (Acts 14:27.) 2. Each church God’s fully equipped organization for preach ing the gospel.

3. In New Testament no two churches operated under ONE head.

4. Churches may cooperate but each acts independently.